Detained [2] 《SHADOWHUNTERS》

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The next morning, Andy was searching for a particular tall, black-haired Shadowhunter. Jace had woken her up earlier and told her that Alec wanted to see her. She found him in his new office. He sat with his mother, both leaning into each other in front of the desk that had seen many years of scribbling. The air felt heavy but both Lightwoods shared smiles and soft words before pulling apart.

Andy didn't want to intrude, but she could see they were wrapping up and she didn't want to be caught awkwardly hanging in the hallway. She rapped her knuckles softly against the doorway and offered a greeting to the woman who raised her, asking how she was.

Maryse gave her a stiff "fine," and despite her warm voice, Andy could tell she didn't mean it entirely. But she looked better than she had after Max's rune ceremony, and that was something. Andy offered her a smile and they exchanged a few more obligatory words before the woman insisted that she should get going.

Andy watched a bit solemnly as Maryse walked away. Alec interrupted her stare with a greeting of his own, more relaxed now that his mother had left the room.

She turned back to him and gave him a once over. He looked like he usually did, except he had clearly paid more attention to his hair this morning and he had a suit jacket on. Andy couldn't help but laugh and give him a razzing look.

He frowned at her and adjusted the jacket. "It's not that bad," he insisted.

Andy stepped further into the room, hanging by the couch. "You don't look bad," she said, her smile still in place. "But it's so much." Another laugh burst out of her and rang through the room like gentle wind chimes.

Alec lost himself a bit as he watched her, waiting for her to settle herself. Her hair was tied back in a messy bun, some strands falling into her face. A t-shirt hung from her shoulders, a few sizes too big, just like the ring that sat on top of it like a pendant. She almost seemed normal, like those good days where they could laugh for hours and get a million things done together. But he knew better than to assume the dark cloud from days ago had left her.

She caught him looking at her when she calmed down, but she decided to ignore it. "Do you need me tonight?" She asked, recalling what Jace had told her. Alec had planned a downworlder forum so they could air their grievances with the Clave.

Alec perked up some and nodded. "Of course, you're second-in-command, aren't you?" He said it like it was a joke, but she knew him better than to assume that it was.

She quirked her brow as another laugh escaped her, this one short and unsure. "I am not going to be your second," she told him apprehensively. "You can't even trust me with your stele."

"Andy, I don't care about the stele," he tried to brush away her qualms.

She scoffed. "You care so much about that stele." He knew she was right, too. She apologized again, using the calm air to make sure he really understood. "It was stupid. But I had to do it. That's no excuse, I know."

He closed the space between them, taking her wrists in his hands. "I know. I hope it helped, but while I'm in charge, you can't pull something like that again."

She agreed. Et all. He stared at her for a while as he lost his grip. "Your stubborn." He stated suddenly. "And you don't usually think your plans through."

Andy chortled, moving off to the window behind his desk as she rolled her eyes. "Ah, I see. Just a performance review, then?"

He laughed with her, sliding his hands into his pockets as he turned to watch her. "You push me to do things I would never do on my own. Things that need to get done. Help me realize when I'm making a mistake. That's why I want you as my second, Andy."